Bridges

Do you ever have those moments during a show where you almost forget you’re at a concert?
I had one of those moments Friday night going to see the band, Bridges, play at the 40 Watt. The concert was a huge party for their self titled album release and I was more happy just to go to see a couple good friends of mine and buy an album or two. But Bridges, led by UGA student Alex Young, managed to turn the evening from a regular Friday night show into a kickass celebration.

The catchy melodies in each of the songs had me dancing around groups of people I didn’t even know. Bridges’ opening cover of ‘Royals’ pulled the crowd almost on top of the stage, with every following song built out of fun choruses that eventually had everyone singing. I had one of those moments of envy where I wish I already knew the words so I could sing at the top of my lungs, eyes closed and head thrown back. The highlight to me, though, was definitely their rendition of ‘Fancy’. Not only is that song my summer jam, getting to watch Alex wrap the entire thing perfectly was definitely one of the show’s peaks.

The thing that impressed me most of out the entire show though was the feeling of the songs themselves. Each song seemed like I had heard it a thousand times – but like that old friend that you get to meet up with once a year, where nothing’s changed and your whole relationship just picks up right where it left off. My personal favorite from the night was definitely ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’ The chorus was so damn catchy that I’ve found myself even now humming the first couple lines. Every song was a musical ice cream cone of sugary, delicious melodies that satisfy your jam-pop-rock sweet tooth.

Before I knew it, time had run out and people were breaking down the stage. Looking at my phone, I was shocked to see 12:00AM staring back at me. Maybe it was the familiarity of the songs or the feeling that I was friends with everyone in the crowd, but the show managed to make me forget time and enjoy a classic Friday night in Athens. For the first time in a long time, I actually relaxed during a show. Not looking at my clock, feeling the need to walk around, or even needing to grab a beer, I got to sit there and enjoy the music and company for what it was – unadulterated fun.

Get your copy of their first ever EP on iTunes.

~Rabekah Hansen - Seeing Trees Music

This past January, Bridges released their self-titled debut EP, a six song effort currently streaming on Spotify and Soundcloud. After listening to the whole thing (three times in a row, but who is counting?), I can say with all certainty from now on I want all bands to feature a horn section. This might be a slight exaggeration, okay, but the saxaphone is such a secret weapon throughout the EP it makes me wonder what magic it could work in other bands. The horn is allowed to shine so brightly on the track “Saxy”, it was impossible not to dance around my apartment. I dare you to try, in fact. Bridges’s expanded instrumentation - of the typical rock guitar outfit plus saxaphone, strings, and flute - elevated the whole EP to a headphone-filling epic level of jamming. These guys combine an old-school smooth quality with the pop-rock sensations of the early 2000s that is as accessible and it is infectious. Lead singer Alex Young’s voice falls easily on top of the instruments, with a smooth and clear tone that lets the lyric really hit you. “No Ordinary Night” sounds like a rustic barn wedding complete with hopeless romance and candles in mason jars. On the opposite end of the spectrum falls one of my personal favorite tracks “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, a rolling breakup song that steers above bitterness to share honest frustration to a leaving lover. The down-to-earth quality makes this one of the most positive and uplifting songs about a relationship ending I’ve heard in a while, and the stellar violin work stands out amongst the already full band sound.

Overall, the EP stands out as being well-produced, evocative, and unexpected. They’re not resting on the easy songwriting or instrumentation; when the strings kick in on “Departure (Yours)”, you’ll be so excited to hear how well the build into the song’s tone and quality. I’m excited to have found this record in time for the warmer spring months, because this will be a good one for the “windows down, driving around” vibe.

You can stream Bridges’s EP here. - The Queue Athens